Candidate Answers to JOLDC: Mike Scala for NY Assembly District 23
Candidate Name: Mike Scala
Office Seeking Election for: NY Assembly District 23
Campaign Website: https://scala.vision/
1. Based upon your life experiences and accomplishments, why do you believe you are best qualified to represent your district?
I am best qualified because I have a demonstrated record of delivering for the entire district. I’m known as a fighter for better transportation and as an attorney who stands up for residents. I additionally served as counsel and legislative director in the State Senate, and as the only candidate in the race with Albany experience I can hit the ground running in the Assembly.
2. What LGBTQ+ organizations have you been involved with, either on a volunteer basis or professionally?
None formally.
3. What press conferences, demonstrations, rallies and protests in support of LGBTQ+ issues, pro-choice legislation, racial justice, criminal justice have you attended, including rallies specifically against Donald Trump and his policies?
Many, including most recently a series of events about knowing your rights if ever confronted by ICE. I have also done podcasts on the dangers of overturning Roe v. Wade, both in terms of abortion access and other rights threatened by undermining the right to privacy.
4. In light of the Trump Administration’s war on women, the LGBTQ+ community, minorities and immigrants, what are your plans to organize and combat the Trump agenda?
I will continue to stand up for everyone whose rights are under attack. My office will be used as a platform to take a stand against injustice, and I will bring information to the community as well as sponsor legislation to ensure vulnerable populations are protected.
5. Will you seek or accept endorsements from individuals who oppose LGBTQ+ and reproductive rights?
No.
6. Do you support the unrestricted right to reproductive care and abortion?
Yes. At a recent candidates forum, I stated I was unapologetically pro-choice while my primary opponent answered it depended on “how advanced the child is.” This is a health care decision between a patient and doctor – period.
7. Have you hosted, funded or otherwise supported Drag Story Hours in your community?
No.
8. How will you work to enhance protections for immigrants and uphold New York’s role as a “Sanctuary City”?
I will support legislation such as the New York for All Act to prohibit state and local agencies from using their resources to assist in federal immigration enforcement. Under the legislation, individuals can still be transferred into federal custody if a judicial warrant is issued, which I believe is appropriate in cases of violent felonies.
In addition, I will seek to hire liaisons fluent in the most commonly spoken languages in my district so that the community can be kept best informed of their rights and never feel excluded or disenfranchised.
9. Do you support New York becoming a Transgender Sanctuary State?
As an attorney, I do not believe it is right for states to punish their residents for activities performed in other states where such activities are lawful. The Privileges and Immunities Clause of the Constitution protects the right to travel and shields against penalties for lawful activities in states traveled to – there should likewise be protections from states traveled from. I’ll consider the language of any bill and discuss with co-sponsors and constituents who may be impacted.
10. If elected, will you commit to supporting legislation that raises taxes on the richest New Yorkers and large corporations in order to fund the services and investments our communities need?
Yes. It is also worth noting that an individual must make over $25 million annually to land in the state’s highest tax bracket. That figure can be lowered so that more of the richest New Yorkers pay the maximum rate.
11. How will you represent the most vulnerable, including individuals experiencing homelessness and asylum seekers? Have you ever opposed any shelter in your district?
As the current president of the Queens Defenders board of directors, this hits close to home. Our organization provides assistance to 1,500 persons facing housing issues every year. My plan is to bring that advocacy to the Assembly, where I will use my office to organize around fair treatment and affordability in housing.
I was engaged as an attorney to represent residents against a planned shelter that violated state law and subjected struggling people to inhumane conditions.
12. Will you sponsor and support legislation which will ensure that state and local resources are not used to facilitate or cooperate with federal immigration enforcement (New York for All Act) to prevent the funneling of people into ICE custody, and the sharing of sensitive information with ICE?
Yes.
13. To advance safety and justice, New York must address our archaic sentencing and parole laws. Do you support the following key legislation: 1) Second Look Act (S.158/A.1283), which would allow judges to review and reconsider excessive sentences by considering if incarcerated people have transformed while incarcerated or based on changes in law and norms; 2) Earned Time Act (S.342/A.1085), which would strengthen and expand “good time” and “merit time” programs in prison that encourage personal transformation and reunite families?; 3) Marvin Mayfield Act (S.1209/A.1297), which would eliminate mandatory minimum sentences, thereby allowing judges to consider individual factors in a case?; 4) Elder Parole (S.454/A.514), which would allow incarcerated people over age 55 who have served 15 years the opportunity to go before the parole board?
Yes. Generally speaking, judges and parole boards should have more power to review the facts of a case and make decisions based on the specific circumstances.
14. Do you oppose the death penalty?
Yes, both because it is a barbaric form of punishment and because studies consistently show it is ineffective at deterring crime and costs taxpayers more money than life in prison. Further, many are exonerated years after their convictions, and the death penalty precludes the possibility of the wrongfully convicted being freed.
15. Do you support outlawing solitary confinement?
Yes.
16. Do you commit to visit constituents who are incarcerated? Will you work to secure the release of individuals who have demonstrated sincere remorse, worked toward rehabilitation and are not deemed a threat to society?
Yes, keeping in mind the separation between the legislative and judicial branches of government. I have visited Rikers Island, spoken to inmates and observed the horrific conditions there. In Albany, my focus will be on policy that protects the community and that includes those who need treatment rather than punishment.
17. Do you commit to make applications for clemencies available to your constituency including a link to an application in a constituent newsletter? Will you submit it to our club?
Yes.
18. Did you rank Andrew Cuomo on your Democratic primary ballot in 2025? Who did you support for mayor in the 2025 Democratic primary and general election?
I did not publicly support any candidate in that race.
19. In view of the fact that Ed Koch has been documented to have caused the deaths of scores of people with AIDS, excused city council members who voted against the gay rights bill and was blatantly racist, would you support and sponsor a bill to rename the former Queensboro Bridge?
Yes – I did not support it being renamed from the Queensboro Bridge in the first place.
20. What is your legislative remedy to secure the building of low and moderate-income housing around the state?
The Area Median Income (AMI) is used to determine affordability, but it pulls in counties outside the city. I will look at a more localized consideration of what’s affordable. Developers should be given greater incentives to build low- and moderate-income housing in areas of the state where it is scarce.
21. Will you refuse donations from AIPAC, SolidarityPAC, police and corrections associations, the fossil fuel industry, and the charter school industry?
I believe everyone should be included in the democratic process, but my decisions will never be influenced by who is and is not a donor.
22. Do you support removing criminal penalties for consensual commercial sex work between adults? Also known as Cecilia's Act for Rights in the Sex Trades (S2513 Salazar / A3251 Forrest).
I have been supportive of the Nordic model which keeps the purchase of sex and third-party involvement illegal.
23. There is an effort to have mandatory inclusion of the New York State proposal that would require public schools to teach about the January 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol, commonly described in the bill text as an “insurrection.” Do you support this proposal?
Yes. That is an important piece of American history.
24. What additional information would you like the Jim Owles Liberal Democratic Club to consider when we are making our endorsement decision?
As a former Democratic nominee for the City Council in this area, and as someone who has never lost this Assembly District in a primary, my support among local voters is strong. With your help, we can ensure victory and collaborate on delivering for the people of our state.
25. If you receive our endorsement, do you agree to identify the Jim Owles Liberal Democratic Club on all appropriate literature and electronic materials?
Yes.